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CUMBRIA LEAGUE RU

Coaches Paul Burns, Jeff Simm and Martin Grainger and their players can feel justifiably proud of the consistent way they have played all season to earn the championship.

It was not the wins against the second teams in the league like Kirkby Lonsdale, but the doubles against close rivals Furness, Millom and Windermere and the away win at Silloth that were key to their success.

The league will be split after the 16th league game, with teams the top half and bottom half playing in their own cup competitions.

Hawcoat have three league games to go beforehand, starting against Penrith A on Saturday, but their league closest rivals will be unable to overhaul their total of 60 points.

Hawcoat Park chairman John Horne said: “We are delighted, that was the goal at the start of the season. Our desire was to win the league at the start of the season and to secure that the lads have done tremendously well.”

Their latest victory at Kirkby Lonsdale saw the tries shared among the team, with Glen Kaighan and Matt Burrows each scoring twice. James Howden was accurate with the boot, kicking a number of conversions.

Kirkby started well and applied some early pressure with the Hawcoat back row of Tim Clark, Callum Ramsay and Mike Lightfoot having to work hard in defence.

Slowly, the Maroon and Whites started to get a real foothold in the game.

Forceful runs from skipper Jason Priss and second-rowers Mark O’Halloran and Ashley Mowat saw good ground made to allow a sustained spell of pressure on the Kirkby linem which was rewarded when a neat pass from hooker Adam Grainger allowed Lightfoot to force his way over, Howden booted over a good conversion.

Kirkby were a reasonable match up front and their young set of forwards worked very hard – it was in the backs that it was clear Hawcoat had more pace and mobility.

Half-backs Sam Hilton and Howden were having good games controlling the play with Howden kicking well and bringing his outside backs into the play at the right times.

Five further tries arrived before half-time, all coming from the outside backs.

The second was touched down by centre Chris Burns following a great charge down by Mowat.

Good running and handling produced tries for Matt Sayle, winger Kaighan and Burrows (2). Howden converting four for a 40-0 half time lead.

Kirkby started the second half well. Replacement Steve Clarke appeared unfortunate to spend 10 minutes in the sinbin and in this spell they applied some good pressure.

This appeared the time in the game the maroon and whites were enjoying the most, having the line tested and having to work together as one unit in defence to keep them out.

Midway through the half good handling from Clarke, Jon Moses and Andy Graham created the space for Kaighan’s second try.

Replacements Craig Law and Josh Haney were having good games in the forwards and backs respectively and before the end there was the time for them both to deservedly touch down.

Burrows took the man-of-the-match award for his two tries and his outstanding running.